CN211969142U

CN211969142U - Vehicle with a steering wheel

Info

Publication number: CN211969142U
Application number: CN202020167431.8U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗纳德·M·罗瓦兹; 斯宾塞·M·希克斯
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2019-02-15
Filing date: 2020-02-13
Publication date: 2020-11-20
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-13
Also published as: DE202020100821U1; US20200262281A1; US10800236B2

Abstract

A vehicle, comprising: a top cover extending laterally between the A-pillars; and a soft top including a movable frame defining a roof of the vehicle and having a roof rail selectively securable to the roof, the frame being movable between a forward closed position and a rearward retracted position. A wind deflector is mounted to the frame adjacent the roof rail and is movable with the frame between the closed position and the retracted position, wherein the wind deflector is forward of the roof rail when not in the closed position.

Description

Vehicle with a steering wheel

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a soft top convertible top, and more particularly to a wind deflector for such a top.

Background

For many conventional vehicles having convertible tops, the soft top or convertible top is designed to stow within the vehicle structure when retracted, thereby protecting the soft material in such retracted position. However, for some vehicles, it may be preferred that the soft/convertible top be above the vehicle structure when in the fully retracted position, which allows airflow from the vehicle movement to enter the front (leading) edge of the top. When in such an exposed retracted position, the airflow may allow buffeting or ballooning of the soft tip to occur.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

These technical problems of the prior art are solved by the following inventions.

Embodiments contemplate a vehicle comprising: a top cover extending laterally between the A-pillars; a soft top including a movable frame defining a roof of a vehicle and having a roof rail (header bow) selectively securable to the roof, the frame movable between a forward closed position and a rearward retracted position; and a wind deflector mounted to the frame adjacent the roof rail and movable with the frame between a closed position and a retracted position, wherein the wind deflector is forward of the roof rail when not in the closed position.

An advantage of an embodiment is a wind deflector located in front of the soft top/soft convertible top cover beam to avoid undesirable buffeting or bulging of the top that may occur when in the fully retracted position. In addition, the wind deflector will automatically articulate as the soft top/open roof system moves from the closed position to the top fully retracted position.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a portion of a vehicle having a soft top shown in a mostly closed position.

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the wind deflector.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1 showing the wind deflector in a different position.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view similar to fig. 1 showing the soft top in a partially open (partially retracted) position.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view similar to fig. 1 showing the soft top in a most open (most retracted) position.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view similar to fig. 1 showing the soft top in a fully open (retracted) position.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-6 illustrate a vehicle 20 having an a-pillar 22 extending vertically along a side of a windshield, a side door 24 providing access to a passenger compartment 26, and a rear cargo area 28.

The vehicle 20 has a soft roof 30, which soft roof 30 is a frame 32 covered by a soft material, such as cloth, which frame 32 essentially forms the roof of the vehicle 20. The soft top 30 is movable between a closed position in which the soft top 30 extends over and seals the top of the passenger compartment 26, and a retracted position in which the roof is open to the exterior of the vehicle 20. The figures herein show a soft roof in which the middle part of the roof is covered by soft material between the frame 32 and the rigid part of the body, but the soft roof may also comprise a vehicle in which the entire roof is also formed by the frame 32 and soft material.

The roof 34 extends laterally (i.e., side-to-side) along the top of the windshield between the tops of each a-pillar 22. The frame 32 includes a roof rail 36 that is selectively securable to the roof 34 and releasable from the roof 34. When the soft top 30 is in the closed position and is intended to remain closed, then the top cover beam 36 is secured (such as with a latch) to the top cover 34. When one wishes to open the soft top 30, one releases the roof rail 36 from the roof 34 and then moves the roof rail 36 rearward relative to the vehicle 20 until the soft top 30 is in its retracted position (as shown in fig. 6).

The wind deflector 40 is mounted forward of the roof rail 36 and is longitudinally movable with the roof rail 36. Wind deflector 40 includes a longitudinal arm 42 having an attachment flange 46, attachment flange 46 securing wind deflector 40 to roof rail 36 while allowing wind deflector 40 to pivot relative to roof rail 36. A deflector beam 44 extends between the arms 42, the deflector beam 44 being shaped to deflect air upwardly above the roof rail 36 when the roof rail 36 is unlatched to the roof 34.

The wind deflector 40 is located on side B of the roof rail 36 when the soft roof 30 is in the closed position. The B side is located below the roof rail 36 and the soft roof 30 (i.e., within the vehicle passenger compartment 26). When the roof cross member 36 is unlocked from the roof 34 and begins to move rearward, the wind deflector 40 pivots downward and forward relative to the roof cross member 36 (see fig. 1), which positions the deflector beam 44 in the vehicle airflow forward of the roof cross member 36. As the soft top 30 continues to move rearward relative to the vehicle 20, the wind deflector 40 continues to position the deflector beam 44 in the vehicle airflow forward of the roof rail 36 (see fig. 3-6). As can be seen from these figures, this position in front of the roof cross member 36 is maintained in all partially open positions of the soft roof 30 (fig. 3-5) and in the fully retracted position (see fig. 6) as the frame 32 of the soft roof 30 moves rearwardly.

As described above, then, in this position of the wind deflector 40, when the roof cross member 36 is unlatched to the roof 34 (i.e., the closed position), the deflector cross member 44 redirects the airflow upwardly above the top of the roof cross member 36 (as the vehicle moves in a forward direction) for all positions. By deflecting the air flow in this manner, the air flow is not caught on the underside of the soft cloth material, thereby preventing buffeting or ballooning under the cloth that could damage the cloth of the soft top 30.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that it comprises:

a top cover extending laterally between the A-pillars;

a soft top including a movable frame defining a roof of the vehicle and having a roof rail selectively securable to the roof, the frame movable between a forward closed position and a rearward retracted position;

and a wind deflector mounted to the frame adjacent the roof rail and movable with the frame between the closed position and the retracted position, wherein the wind deflector is located forward of the roof rail when not in the closed position.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, characterized in that the wind deflector comprises a deflector beam configured to direct air upwardly over the roof rail when the soft top is not in the closed position.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, characterized in that the deflector comprises a pair of longitudinally extending arms supporting the deflector beam on the roof rail.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, characterized in that the arm is configured to pivot the deflector beam under the roof rail when the soft top is in the closed position and to pivot the deflector beam forward of the roof rail when the soft top is not in the closed position.

5. The vehicle of claim 2, characterized in that the wind deflector is configured to pivot the deflector beam below the roof rail when the soft top is in the closed position and to pivot the deflector beam forward of the roof rail when the soft top is not in the closed position.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, characterized in that the wind deflector is configured to pivot the deflector beam below the roof rail when the soft top is in the closed position and to pivot the deflector beam forward of the roof rail when the soft top is not in the closed position.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the roof rail is configured to be exposed to airflow through the vehicle when in the retracted position.